“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself” is one of the most powerful quotes I have read about the peace. It was written by Ralph Waldo Emerson in one of his essays. He was a poet and an essayist from America lived in the early 19th century. His writings focused on the individualism due to circumstances of his times in America. Individualists promote the exercise of one’s goal and desire. They advocate the interest of an individual takes precedence over society. Although we may not agree with his philosophy he has something interesting to offer us in the present situation that is the society in which live, has lost its faith in them. His thought invites us to build our self-confidence.
In the above quote, Ralph Waldo Emerson displays his self-confidence. We will be able to admire Mr Emerson for his quote only when we learn about him and the difficulties that he went through in his life. Mr Emerson experienced sadness right from his childhood. He lost his three siblings in his childhood. He lost his father at the age of eight. He did not have sufficient money to cover his educational expenses. He worked as a waiter, a part-time teacher to meet his expenses. He suffered from ill-health. He lost his first wife only after two years of marriage. At the same time, he lost faith in God. He suffered from depression. Mr Emerson opposed slavery and at times had contrary views to Abraham Lincoln, the president of the United States of America. Towards the end of his life, he lost his all literary work in a fire. Such a man, who bore so much of trials and tribulations, was at peace because he knew the art of living. Therefore, he could say that nothing can bring you peace but yourself.
Today we need to believe in ourselves that we can bring peace in this world which is full of challenges. The world organizations that are working for peace had a small beginning. It was perhaps the initiatives of a few people who were convinced that they could bring peace here on earth. They have become the blessings to the whole of the human race. It is indeed good but the self-confidence in the present society dies down. There is a need to become aware that each one of us has a responsibility to bring peace.
Many great inspirational leaders have spoken about it. Let me quote three of Catholic saints who are making us feel responsible in this regard. St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the most influential writers of the Church in 4th Century said, “Peace in society depends on peace in the family.” In the similar lines, St. John XXIII, whose pontificate brought the newness in the Catholic Church by inaugurating Vatican Council II, wrote in one of his Encyclical letter “Pacem in Terris”, (Peace in the Word); “The world will never be the dwelling place of peace, till peace has found a home in the heart of each and every man.” (no. 165). In the recent past, St. Teresa of Kolkatta, the Nobel Prize winner for peace said, “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” All these saints who were engaged in peacebuilding society realized that peace begins at home. Vatican Council II also acknowledges that each person must devote himself to the cause of peace with renewed vigour (GS, 77).
This approach will complement the work of peace at the organizational level. We need to realize that we don’t need structures, organizations, office bearers to work for the peace. It begins with one individual. It begins with self-awareness. It begins with the self-confidence. It begins with one individual. He will then spread in his surroundings. It may be at his workplace or maybe in his family. I would like to propose some practical principles that will help one individual to build peace in his home.
Respect Human dignity:
We have heard umpteen number of time that we are all made in the image and likeness of God. It is the basis of our dignity but for us Christians, there is one more important factor that elevates our dignity. It is the blood of Jesus. Jesus shed his blood on the cross for our salvation. We are worth more than anything in the world. Hence, we must bear in our mind a dignity of every human being comes from the person of Christ. Peace is threatened when a man is not given all that is due to him and when his dignity is not respected. If we believe that others should respect us then we must respect them. When we respect the dignity of another person, we respect the Christ who lives in him. Can we honour our family members irrespective of their age, gender, qualification? Do we make them feel that we respect their views and opinions in our decision making? Do we recognize Christ in them?
Recognize and Defend the rights:
The second principle erupts from one’s dignity. The roots of rights are in our very personality or dignity. Man has many inherent rights such as the right to live, right to freedom, right to equality, right to education, right to a good name, right to know, right to worship, right to choose one’s state of life, right to meet and come together, right to speak, etc. When a human being loses his or her rights; the social structure of the society gets affected. The family is the basic fabric of our society. The violation of rights of a person creates disharmony in the family and it affects the larger society. Do we recognize and defend the rights of every single person of our family? If someone in our family asserts his rights to which we have a contrary opinion then how do we react?
Forgive and be merciful:
The third principle should be the heart of our living. The world in which we live is growing impatient day by day. There is so much stress and anxiety that our relationships are getting crumbled down. There are so many expectations from the family members. We are not able to sustain the pressure. We expect the others to be perfect but we know our weaknesses. The growing number of divorces, separations, the domestic violation is the sign of these phenomena. The peace in the family vanishes and the family is torn into pieces. How can we restore back the peace in our family? It is only the forgiveness and acts of mercy. The crucifix is the sign of God’s abundance of mercy. God forgave us and showed us mercy in Jesus Christ. Can we be forgiving and merciful to our family members?
Pray for the peace:
God created harmony when He created the world. There was peace because God was happy with his creation. The peace was destroyed by the selfishness of human beings. We recognize that without God, we can do nothing. We believe that God has reconciled the world to himself by sending His son Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace. He is Peace. We need to pray for peace in the world. Blessed Pope Paul VI who started the world day of peace with the spirit of Second Vatican Council realized that we can establish peace on earth only with the help of God. Do we pray for peace in the world in our families? Do we believe that God can restore peace in the world with our intercession?
Speak about peace:
The fifth principle is something practical that each person must follow in his family. The time is ripened that we ought to speak about peace. The media today is busy is portraying blood, robbery, divorce, war, scams. Our children are fed with sad and horror news. Let us create counter literature and atmosphere in our families and communities by speaking about peace. The parents and the elders must take the initiatives. They should help the youth and children to explore ways of peace in today’s world. Our talks on peace will change our behaviour in our homes because we will be aware of our actions. Do we speak about peace in our families?
Conclusion:
There are so many authors who have given ways of establishing peace in our families. I have proposed five principles. They are not exclusive but suggestive in nature. Every person must explore ways of establishing peace in his or her family settings. Every peaceful family will be contagious in its surrounding. It will spread peace. Let us recognize the important task of peacebuilding families in today’s world. Let us own up this responsibility. Let us start in our home. Mr Emerson believed himself therefore he could say, “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself”. The saints also guided us to begin a movement of peace at home. God has also shown the same way. He wanted to bring peace in this world. He chose the family. He was born in our families. God is peace and He began His mission in a family. He gave us the most fundamental teaching that is Peace begins at Home.
